By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The skies over the Safford Regional Airport – 1LT Duane Spalsbury Field lit up with adrenaline-fueled aerobatics and roaring engines on Saturday as the second annual Safford Air Show captivated an estimated 4,500 attendees, shattering last year’s inaugural turnout.
From precision parachute jumps to heart-pounding jet car races, the event transformed the quiet airport into a buzzing hub of excitement, drawing families, food trucks, aviation buffs, and the curious for a day of high-flying spectacle.
Kicking off with opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m., the air show unfolded under clear Arizona skies, featuring a packed lineup of aerial demonstrations that showcased the grace and power of vintage warbirds, modern jets, and daring stunt pilots. The National Anthem started the event with a patriotic tone, accompanied by a dramatic parachute team flag jump that had spectators craning their necks skyward.
Demonstrations followed in rapid succession: the AT-802 AGCAT’s waterdrop maneuver simulated firefighting heroics, while the PT-17 Stearman’s vintage flight evoked the golden age of aviation.
The afternoon ramped up with formation flights, including a trio of T-6 Texan trainers and T-34 Mentors, their synchronized loops drawing cheers from the crowd.
Anthony Oshinuga’s Pitts S-1 special aerobatics twisted and turned in impossible maneuvers, followed by the Army Aviation Heritage Museum’s helicopter showcase featuring the iconic AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey in a nod to military history. The group offered helicopter rides throughout the day and was among the show’s most popular.
One of the day’s highlights came when local icon Doug Grant unleashed his jet-powered “Top Secret” car against a P-51D Mustang in a blistering ground-speed showdown. The car, screaming down the runway at reportedly over 300 mph, “blew the wings off” the pursuing Mustang — though whispers among pilots suggested the jet might have snagged a controversial jump start, adding a layer of good-natured debate to the festivities.
Earlier, air racers thrilled, and Greg Sembower’s P-51 Mustang aerobatics paid homage to the legendary fighter’s World War II prowess with loops and rolls that echoed its storied past.
The show wrapped after a finale of Torrey Ward’s Subsonex jet aerobatics and multi-plane formation flying, leaving the crowd buzzing with post-adrenaline glow. Ground displays throughout the day — from the FM-2 Wildcat flyby to interactive aircraft exhibits —offered up-close encounters, and visitors could chat with pilots like Dan Kirkland, whose T-28 Trojan routine combined raw power with pinpoint precision.
Beyond the thrills, the air show underscored a more profound transformation at the Safford Regional Airport. What was once an underutilized facility has evolved into a vibrant community cornerstone, thanks to strategic vision and dedicated leadership. Safford City Manager John Cassella, who spent the day mingling with attendees, emphasized the event’s role in elevating the airport’s relevance.
“As with a lot of the city services that we’re providing, we’re looking to improve and make them better,” Cassella said. “So, I think what we’ve done is taken an airport at which we had no presence three years ago and turned it into a community asset. I mean, look how many people are here today. So, you don’t have to be an airplane pilot or be into aviation. You just want to come out, have a good time on the weekend with your family, and now the airport is relevant for everybody.”
Cassella credited Airport Director Cameron Atkins with much of the momentum, highlighting the importance of hiring passionate experts to bring ambitious plans to life. “You’ve got Cameron in here and are trying to get more things out of the airport. What’s next for it? Two things, right? One is you’ve got to have a vision for the asset. You have to say, here’s something that we can develop that has value. How do we increase that value, right? We’re going to do the same thing at the golf course. The other thing is you have to hire somebody that knows what they’re doing, and Cameron knows what he’s doing, right? So the employees make a huge difference because they’ve got to have the talent. They’ve got to have the passion to do it. And I can’t do everything. So, a lot of what you see today is part of that vision and picking the right people to make it happen.”
For the community, the air show’s success signals broader economic and social ripples. The doubled attendance from last year — pegged at around 2,000 for the 2024 debut — boosts local businesses, from food vendors to nearby shops, while fostering a sense of pride and connection. Families picnicked on the tarmac, children marveled at cockpit tours, and retirees swapped stories of bygone flights, weaving aviation into the fabric of everyday Safford life. As Cassella reflected on the day’s energy, his enthusiasm was palpable.
“I just think it’s an awesome thing,” he said. “I’ve been out here all day. I’ve had a great time. I hope the community comes out and enjoys it and sees what we’re doing and appreciates the things that the employees are doing. We do have the community in mind, and I’m trying to get my employees to focus and really provide good services. So, hopefully they can come out and they see this kind of stuff and they enjoy themselves.”
Sponsors for the second annual Safford Air Show included Rutledge Airborne, United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Taco Bell, CMI, Mount Graham Cardiology, White Brothers Aviation, Bowman, Dibble, Freeport-McMoRan, Lloyd Construction Company, and the Gila Herald.
To see more pictures from the event, click here to view our Safford Air Show Photo Album on Facebook, and like and follow The Gila Herald to keep up with news and events.
